Dubai Police foil gang’s bid to smuggle AED4.5m worth of drugs

Dubai Police has arrested a gang of three who attempted to smuggle 89,760 Captagon pills, weighing 18.931 kilograms and estimated to be worth AED4.488 million, hidden inside clothing buttons.

The arrests were made in cooperation with the General Department of Narcotics Control in Saudi Arabia.

Dubai Police stated that Operation Poison Buttons is part of ongoing efforts of the Dubai Police General Command to combat and thwart the schemes of drug dealers, promoters and smugglers. They implemented a strict security plan to track the suspects' movements, in coordination with other police agencies. It led to the detection of the gang, which had hidden the drugs in an apartment in Dubai and another emirate in the country .

Details of "toxic buttons"

Regarding the details of the Poison Buttons operation, Dubai Police explained that it began after receiving reliable information indicating the presence of a gang inside the country consisting of three individuals, who were about to receive a quantity of drugs and psychotropic substances and then smuggle them to a neighbouring country. This was done under the direction of the gang leader from his home country. A specialised task force was immediately formed, and all legal procedures were taken by issuing a permit from the Dubai Public Prosecution to arrest and search the accused, in addition to searching their vehicle and their place of residence.

Dubai Police added they had placed the suspects under close surveillance in preparation for their arrest. The suspects repeatedly attempted to change the location of their drugs, moving them from one location to another, and treating them as merchandise. However, their every move was under 24-hour surveillance by anti-narcotics personnel .

After close surveillance, the suspects were raided and their residence was searched. 

Dubai Police said the success of the operation is a result of the support and directives of the eadership to work on developing deep and solid relations between the United Arab Emirates and various countries of the world in the field of combating organised crime.

It affirmed its keenness to support the efforts of police forces in combating organised crime around the world and to enhance international cooperation aimed at creating a society free of illegal narcotics.